Rev Dr Zachariah Pringle and Rumble John

John Galt’s novel, The Ayrshire Legatees (1821) tells the story of the Rev Dr Zachariah Pringle and his family as they visit London to receive a legacy left to them by a relative.  Dr Pringle is minister in the fictional village of Garnock in Ayrshire.  Galt describes Pringle and his preaching style at the beginning of the book -

“The doctor had been for many years the incumbent of Garnock, which is pleasantly situated between Irvine and Kilwinning, and, on account of the benevolence of his disposition, was much beloved by his parishioners.  Some of the pawkie among them used indeed to say, in answer to the godly of Kilmarnock, and other admirers of the late great John Russel of that formerly orthodox town, by whom Dr Pringle’s powers as a preacher were held in no particular estimation, - “He kens our poopit’s frail, and spar’st to save outlay to the heritors”. 

[Pawkie means wily or shrewd in Scots.  In Scotland the church “heritors” were local landowners responsible for the upkeep of the church building.]

So, who was this “late, great John Russel” of Kilmarnock mentioned by Galt?  Fans of the work of Scottish poet Robert Burns might recognise the name from his a few of his works.  He appears as “Black Russell” in The Holy Fair – 

But now the Lord’s ain trumpet touts,

Till a’ the hills are rairin,

And echoes back return the shouts;

Black Russell is na sparin;

His piercing words, like highlan’ swords,

Divide the joints an’ marrow;

His talk o’ Hell, whare devils dwell,

Our vera ‘sauls does harrow’

Wi’ fright that day! 

John Russel was minister of the chapel of ease in Kilmarnock which later became the High Kirk in Kilmarnock.  Russel had been ordained in 1774 and was a strong Calvinist, described as being -

 “of the sternest type, with a visage dark and morose and a tremendous voice; both combining to heighten the effect of his messages of wrath.”

Burns describes Russel's voice in The Twa Herds or The Holy Tulyie [noisy brawl]

“What herd like Russell tell’d his tale?

His voice was heard through muir and dale,

He kenn’d the Lord’s sheep, ilka tail,

O’er a’ the height;

And saw gin they were sick or hale,

At the first sight."

Robert Burns

Russell also gets a mention in Burns’ The Ordination which refers to a controversial essay by Dr William McGill (1732-1807) who was minister at Kilwinning and Ayr and admired by Robert Burns. He appears as Rumble John in another work - The Kirk of Scotland’s Alarm -

Rumble John! Rumble John, mount the steps with a groan,

Cry the book is with heresy cramm’d;

Then out wi’ your ladle, deal brimstone like aidle,

And roar ev’ry note of the damn’d.

Rumble John! And roar ev’ry note of the damn’d.

[Aidle in Scots means dirty water or liquid manure.]

Sabbath-breakers suffered particular from Russel's wrath – 

“on Sunday afternoons, armed with a formidable cudgel, he began his wonted rounds in pursuit of Sabbath-breaking strollers, his appearance in the street was the signal for an instant breaking-up and a disappearing within-doors of gossiping groups.”  

Again Robert Burns mentions Russel  in Epistle to John Goldie, Kilmarnock – John Goldie (1717-1811) was an Ayrshire man and friend of Burns.  Known as “the philosopher”.  He was the author of the controversial The Gospel Recovered From Its Captive State (1786).  Here Burns refers to Russel as “Black Jock”. 

“O Goudie, terror o’ the Whigs,

Dread o’blackcoats and rev’rend wigs!

Sour Bigotry, on her last legs,

Girns an’ looks back,

Wishing the ten Egyptian plagues

Wad seize you quick.

 

Poor gapin, glowrin Superstition!

Wae’s me, she’s in a sad condition;

Fie! Bring Black Jock, her state physician,

To see her water;

Alas, there’s ground o’ great suspicion

She’ll ne’er get better.

What a formidable character Rev John Russel must have been!

On their return from London, Dr Pringle and his family were warmly received by the congregation.  John Galt describes the minister’s reception at church that first Sunday – 

"The moment the  doctor made his appearance, his greeting and salutation was quite delightful; it was that of a father returned to his children, and a king to his people.”

What a lovely description by John Galt of a well-liked man’s return.